A bit of recent history: The first SARS epidemic in 2002-4 was caused by the virus SARS-CoV which is very similar to the virus causing the current pandemic. The story of the outbreak of SARS in Hong Kong courtesy of Wikipedia: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2002%E2%8… 1/5
On 21st February 2002, Liu Jianlun and his wife checked into a room on the ninth floor of the Metropole Hotel in Hong Kong. Liu was a doctor at a hospital in Guangdong, China where he had looked after SARS patients. 2/5
Despite feeling ill, he attended a family wedding and they travelled around Hong Kong. By 22nd February he knew was very sick so he walked to the nearby Kwong Wah Hospital. On arrival, he warned staff about his illness and that he should be put in isolation. 3/5
Liu never recovered and sadly died in the intensive care unit on 4th March. He is thought to have been a SARS super-spreader. 23 Metropole guests developed SARS including seven from the ninth floor. Liu's brother-in-law was hospitalised on 1 March and also died. 4/5
Around 80% of 1755 SARS cases in Hong Kong were likely contracted directly or indirectly from Liu. Back then we didn't understand the mechanics of modern viral pandemics. Now we do. One person can do this without realising, without malice. This is why #HandsFaceSpace matters. 5/5
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